Hello,

I am new to this forum, my friend told me about it as I am going to have to be a self pay. I have done research on other forms and have been reading through all the many post and I am wanting to get some information from past patients. I have been denied by my insurance several times now and so have decided to look into Mexico as I can not afford to pay in the US. Over the last several months I have made a list of doctors I think would be a good fit for me but just need some insight from past patients. I have been looking at Dr. Illan, Dr. Zavalza, Dr. Pounce or Dr. Lopez and would like to here the good and the bad and how I start the process to get qualified for one of these doctors. I would like to know what the facilities are like and if I come alone would I be safe. I do not speak Spanish so this is also a worry of mine. How bad is the pain, I have seen many say there is no pain or very little and I find it hard to believe as this is major surgery. I have had many surgeries in the states so this wont be my first rodeo as they say. Any advise or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi 79,

There are threads here on all the doctors you mentioned. It just requires a little research on your part. As far as starting the process, just get in touch with a Patient Coordinator. My coordinator is Bill Yanez and he has made the entire process flow very smoothly for me. I asked every question in the book and he was more than gracious in answering my questions and explaining everything in detail. The whole team is great at making themselves accessible when you need help or have questions. They never keep you waiting for an answer.

Bariatric Pal Team Members speak English, so there is no language barrier there.

As far as being alone, they also include a 24 hour personal valet service for their patients at the hospital, the recovery house, and the hotel as well, so you don't have to be afraid to be alone. Although I had not planned to come alone, it looks like I just might be. I have also found that many people going by themselves seek out another person going alone and buddy up with each other for support. I'm still trying to decide between mid-March and mid-April and when I decide on a date, that is my plan.

What the facilities are like depends on the doctor you choose. I chose Dr. Illan and he works out of florence Hospital. I have a friend who chose Dr. Zavalza. I guess it just depends on your preference after you complete your research. What's good for one might not be ideal for another. That's the reason why we chose different doctors. You can read more about them at http://teammx.bariatricpal.com/ and that link will also show you what all is included.

All of the doctors you mentioned also have Facebook group pages where you can contact past, present, and future patients and speak to them about their experiences. Just search for the doctors name followed by Bariatric Pal and each of their group will show up in the search.

As far as pain, I haven't been through it yet, but my oldest daughter and my sister were both sleeved in the past year. They said the first day was kind of rough, but after that it wasn't too bad at all. Just sore. They got out and about for walks and even shopped a little. Again, I guess that just depends on the person, as some people tolerate pain differently than others.

I hoped this helped ease your mind a bit. I don't work for Bariatric Pal, but I have done my research to the extreme, and I am quite comfortable with them.

Good luck!

Edited February 16, 201610 yr by Sherry Riley

Hello,

I am new to this forum, my friend told me about it as I am going to have to be a self pay. I have done research on other forms and have been reading through all the many post and I am wanting to get some information from past patients. I have been denied by my insurance several times now and so have decided to look into Mexico as I can not afford to pay in the US. Over the last several months I have made a list of doctors I think would be a good fit for me but just need some insight from past patients. I have been looking at Dr. Illan, Dr. Zavalza, Dr. Pounce or Dr. Lopez and would like to here the good and the bad and how I start the process to get qualified for one of these doctors. I would like to know what the facilities are like and if I come alone would I be safe. I do not speak Spanish so this is also a worry of mine. How bad is the pain, I have seen many say there is no pain or very little and I find it hard to believe as this is major surgery. I have had many surgeries in the states so this wont be my first rodeo as they say. Any advise or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hello

Feel free to ask any questions regarding surgical procedures, also we can schedule phone or Skype consult thru Bariatric Pal staff.

I think I am weighing in the direction of Dr. Illan as I like the fact he seems to be more accessible. I still am doing my research. I was wondering do you have to have your gallbladder removed if eight loss surgery?

I think I am weighing in the direction of Dr. Illan as I like the fact he seems to be more accessible. I still am doing my research. I was wondering do you have to have your gallbladder removed if eight loss surgery?

If you have history of gallstones and gallbladder attack I would highly recommend to remove it at the same time.

If this isn't the case, there's a 50-50% chance to develop gallbladder symptoms in the future after any Bariatric procedure!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think I am weighing in the direction of Dr. Illan as I like the fact he seems to be more accessible. I still am doing my research. I was wondering do you have to have your gallbladder removed if eight loss surgery?

Dr. Ilan is very accessible via email, phone, and FB. He has called me twice to answer questions in depth and was very cordial about it. I liked that he took his time and I didn't feel rushed while consulting with him. He also has a FB group that he checks into often to see if anyone has any questions for him there and usually responds to posts pretty quickly.

I have already had issues with my gallbladder in the past, so I have opted to have mine removed at the same time as my sleeve surgery. I would rather just get it all done at the same time and get it over with, since the probability is high that I would have to have it done in the future anyway.

Again, Good Luck!